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Standardization of English language today
English language and Standardization
English language and Standardization
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In the early twentieth century, the novel began to move away from rigid Victorian values and staid objective realism as writers searched for greater freedom of expression and individuality. The world was changing rapidly, and new modes of expression were needed to express representation of life in this new enlightened modern world. Subsequently, an underlining undercurrent of literary diversity was beginning to emerge. This essay will firstly, discuss what constitutes a novel, then consider the respective texts of Lonely Londoners (Sevlon) and The Emigrants (Sebald) and discuss why these narratives challenged the preconceived expectations of the ‘novel’ genre.
The novel is the dominant form in Western literature, and provides the reader with a means of social escape, especially as the novel encompasses many classification within its genre to suit individual preferences, such as historical, fiction romance, crime thrillers etc. However, the basics are fundamentally the same, in that a novel is a complex work of imagination retold as reality. The novel is a defined as a piece of prose of considerable length which is usually divided into chapters, portraying characters and normally presenting a sequential organisation of actions and events. () Whilst nineteenth century novels were predominantly realistic, with many literary works accepted within the canon of English literature as being of the highest quality, and were predominantly influential in shaping Western culture. However, this canon is constantly unstable and hotly contested in every period,’ (Asbee, 2012 p 303) and whilst writers had previously responded to the experience and effect of mass movement around the globe, as Asbee quotes ‘These writers have indeed changed an...
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... ‘He had to get up from his nice warm bed and dress and come out in this nasty weather to go and meet a fellar that he didn’t even know.’ (Sevlon, 2006,p.1) This form of narrative captures Moses frustration, and relies on the free indirect style of narration. Moreover, the use of the same form of Creolized English for the characters and for the narrative makes an impression that the person who is telling the story of the immigrants in Britain is actually one of them, and not only some distant observer. The language of The Lonely Londoners different from Standard English. For example, the use of ‘do’ even in third person singular, for instance. ‘He don't know how he always getting in position like this...’ (Selvon,2006, p. 4).The verb ‘to be’ is often omitted even in sentences in present simple, as in ‘It have some fellars who in Brit'n long,’ (Selvon,2006,p. 4).
Lipking, Lawrence I, Stephen Greenblatt, and M H. Abrams. The Norton Anthology of English Literature: Volume 1c. New York: W.W. Norton & Co, 2006. Print.
The novel is centred on Victorian London, in the period of the industrial revolution. The very British, civilised behaviour on the surface masked the uncivilised life that lurked beneath. London was a heavily polluted town, drowning in thick, heavy smog. Consequently, it was a brilliant location to base a Gothic novel. Another reason why setting it in London was suitable was because of how close the rich and poor lived from one another. The prosperous used their positions of power to exploit the poorer citizens of society, but despite their superiority, they still felt threatened by the poor’s’ close proximity.
Damrosch, David, and Dettmar Kevin, eds. The Longman Anthology of British Literature. Vol. 2A. Boston: Longman, 2010. Print.
Although a novel is usually fictional most are written off real life experiences and feelings. Novels can enhance the feelings of what realism dumbs down to straight facts.
Abrams, MH, et al. Eds. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. New York. W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1993.
Fiction as we know it today is considered to be a relatively new genre compared to poetry and drama. The tradition of fiction started with myth and legend and allegory. But the fictional characters in these imaginary worlds were mostly one-dimensional abstractions, personified as Love, Greed, War, or even Faith. The evolution from allegory to novel (and short story), from the sermon about an abstraction in human guise to the story of the individual whose personal experience might have universal application, took a long time.
Through the reading of background historical information and the novel of the same time period, one can see that literature is the reflection of the time period about which it was written. Historical data and fictitious characters are woven together to produce a realistic result.
It is the aim of this piece to consider how two elements are developed in the opening chapters of three classic novels written by 19th century English women: Emma, Wuthering Heights, and Jane Eyre, respectively. The elements to be considered are a) character; and b) character relationships. Consideration will be given to see how each opening chapter develops these two aspects, and the various approaches will be compared and contrasted as well.
The setting for this novel was a constantly shifting one. Taking place during what seems to be the Late Industrial Revolution and the high of the British Empire, the era is portrayed amongst influential Englishmen, the value of the pound, the presence of steamers, railroads, ferries, and a European globe.
"The Norton Anthology of English Literature: The 20th Century: Topic 2: Overview." The Norton Anthology of English Literature: The 20th Century: Topic 2: Overview. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2014.
What is the definition of a good novel? Opinions on this question may differ, but there are many things that good novels have in common. Most importantly, the reader must enjoy the novel. When I use the word enjoy, I don’t necessarily mean that it should make the reader ‘happy’ or ‘joyful’. The novel should give the reader a valuable or worthwhile experience. Many good novels often address topics that relate to our own reality. In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, one of the main focuses is on power and corruption.
Abrams, M. & Greenblatt, S. 2000. The Norton Anthology of English Literature 7th ed. Vol. 2. London: Norton.
Jack London is among the many prolific writers from the United States of America who possess great artistic works ranging from great time novels ,short stories to plays just but to mention a few. He is fondly remembered for his great novel, ‘Martin Eden’ published in 1909. In the novel he tries to express the challenges faced by young writers who try to exploit their talent and passion in an area where little opportunities present themselves. This novel has stood the test of time with its relevance evident to date. It is a favorite to many young upcoming writers thus the main aim for writing this paper is to focus on the autobiography of Jack London as ‘Martin Eden’.
Novels for Students. Presenting Analysis, Context and Criticism on Commonly Studied Novels. Detroit, MI: Gale Group, 1999. Print.
There are certain components that a novel should contain. George Phelps has come up with a six-part basis for identifying novels: the writing must be fictitious, or in other words "not pretend to tell the truth," have a certain length, attain a unity of "plot, theme, tone, atmosphere, or vision," create an illusion of reality, be concerned with character, and be prose (Phelps 7-8). Kettle, in his An Introduction to the English Novel, argues a novel must have two elements -- a quality of life and a significant pattern (13).